Automatic valve



June 2, 1942. o. F.'HA| L lra-r AL 2,284,961

AUTOMATIC VALVE Filred Dec. 2, 1940 Patented June 2, 1942 AUTOMATIC VALVE Ona F. Hall and Lewis 1R. Davis, Tico, Calif.; said Hall assignor to Ray T. Neeley,

Pico, Calif.

`Application December Z, 1940, SerialNo. 368,210

1'0 Claims.

This invention krelates to valves and relates more particularly to an automatic valve for controlling ,sprinkling systems, irrigation systems and the like. A ygeneral object .of this invention is to provide a simple, .inexpensive automatic control valve of the character mentioned thatV is positive Vand dependable in operation.

In watering or .irrigating lawns, farm lands, etc., it is usually desirable to discharge the water during .given periods and at intervals as neces-V sary. It is .the general practice to provide a sprinkling system, irrigation system, or the like with a manually operable control valve that must be manually opened at the beginning of the sprinkling or irrigating .operation and that must.. .be manually ,closed to shut 01T the Water. manually operable control valve requires that the operator :be present fto shut off the water at the correct time and in many instances the operator is delayed or is forgetful, with the result that there is over irrigation .and `a substantial loss of water.

.Another .object of this invention is to provide .a con-trol valve -for a sprinkling system, irrigation system or the .like that automatically closesa or shuts oi -at a predetermined Y-time after being opened.

.Another object of this invention .is to provide an automatic control Yvalve that may be ,adjusted-or regulated to remain open for any selected period of time. y

Another object of this invention is to provide a control valve of the .character mentioned that may be remotely controlled, `that is, it Ymay 'be opened by manipulationof a valve vat a vpoint re- `in the water. The improved discharge for the cylinder of the valve operating and controlling means embodies a part constantly moving past The the orice of the discharge in close proximity thereto throughout the period that the valve is open to control the rate of discharge 4of fluid from the cylinder and to prevent the entrance of large particles'of solid matter into the orifice and to carry oli accumulations o smaller particles of solid matter so that they do not restrict the Water ow through the orice.

The various objects and Vfeatures of our invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred Vvform and application 'oi the invention,

.throughout which description reference is made l to the accompanying drawing, in which:

mote -from the control valve of the sprinkling system or 'irrigation system. l

Another object of this ,invention is to provide a valve .oi the character mentioned-.in -which the water pressure in the supply of .the sprinkling system .or irrigation system is utilized .to effect .closing of the valve under Athe control of a cylinder and piston means. y

Another object of .this .invention is .to provide an automatic valve `of l.the character mentioned embodying novel and .particularly .dependable means for bleeding I or .discharging the water from the cylinder and piston control means at a uniform rate to .assure the closing .of .the Valve at the desired time.

A further object of this invention is to .provide an automatic valve of. the .character mentioned in which the discharge for the cylinder and .piston mea-ns'cannot become vclogged or excessively restricted by solid matter CQIltained Fig. 1 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of the valve of the present invention showing the parts in the closed position. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal detailed 'sectional view of the main portion of the control valve with the parts in the open position. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line S-Son Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a view of the .connection between the piston and the discharge. 4control part showing a yportion of thefscrew in longitudinal cross section. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse detailed sectional View taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 1.

Fig. .6 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of the remote control valve and Fig. 7 is a plan elevation .of a typical. sprinkling system embodying the control .valve of the .present invention.

The Valve of the present invention may .be employed to control fluid handling lines and systems of various natures. In the following de- .tailed disclosure we will describe a typical preferred form of valve of the invention embodied in a simple sprinkling system to control the same. It isto be understood that the invention is not to .be construed as limited or restricted to the specific'iorm or application of the invention about to be described ibut is to be taken as including any features or modications that may fall within the scope of the claims.

The irrigating system or sprinkling system illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawing includes a supply .pipe Il) which may be considered as handling water under a constant known pressure, from a city water supply, or the like. The system iurther includes a distributing pipe I I provided with one or more outlets or sprinklers vl-2 and having one or more laterals I3 Vprovided withsprinklers l2, The improved valve of the present invention controls communication between the supply pipe I and the distributing pipe II and therefore governs the delivery of the water to the sprinklers I2.

The automatic control valve of the invention comprises, generally, a body I4 connected between the supply pipe I8 and the distributing pipe I'I, a valve I5 movable in the body I4 to control the passage of water therethrough, means I6 for operating the Valve I5 and a. regulable control I 1 for the valve operating means I6.

The valve body I4 may be connected or interposed in the supply line ID at any desired point or may be connected between the supply pipe I0 and the distributing pipe II as shown in the drawing. The body I4 is in the nature of a tubular or hollow structure for containing the valve I5, certain parts of the means I6, etc. In practice the body I4 is preferably sectional comprising a main section I8, a cylinder section I9 and an end section 29 on the cylinder section I9.

The main section I8 is provided at one end with means for facilitating its connection with the supply pipe I0. In the particular case illustrated the section I8 has an internally threaded boss or flange 2I receiving the threaded end of a nipple 22. A bell or reducer 23 connects the nipple 22 with the supply pipe I8. An internally threaded boss or flange 24 may be provided on the inner end of the main body section I8 to facilitate the connection of the sections I8 and I9. In accordance With the invention a central longitudinal opening 25 extends through the section I8 from one end to the other. The wall of the opening 25 is preferably finished or machined. An annular valve seat 26 is provided at the mouth or outer end of the opening 25. In the preferred structure illustrated the valve seat 26 is raised and projects outwardly or towardy the interior of the nipple 22. A lateral outlet opening 21 is provided in the side of the main section I8 at a point substantially midway between the end of the section. The outer portion of the opening 21 may be threaded to receive the threaded end portion of the distributing pipe II. A circumferential groove 28 is provided in the wall of the opening 25 and has extensive communication with the outlet opening 21.

The section I9 of the body I4 is the cylinder section of the valve, that is, it forms the cylinder of the means I6 as will be subsequently described. The inner end portion of the section I9 may be directly threaded in the end flange 24 of the body section I8. The opening 29 in the section I9 forms the cylinder opening of the means I5. In accordance with the invention the cylinder opening 29 is considerably larger in diameter than the opening 25. The cylinder section I9 has an outer end wall 39 provided with a central opening 3l. The end section 28 of the body I9 is in the nature of an elongate tubular member Whose inner end part is threaded in the opening 3|. 'I'he longitudinal opening 32 in the tubular end section 20 is in communication with the outer end of the cylinder opening 29.

The valve I is provided to control communication between the nipple 22 of the supply pipe I9 and the outlet opening 21 which delivers the water to the distributing pipe II. The valve I5 is an elongate member shiftable longitudinally in the opening 25. The outer end of the valve I5 carries a washer or valve disc 33 of rubbenleather, or the like for sealing against the seat 26. A metal washer 34 engages against the outer side of the valve disc 33 and a screw 35 extends through openings in the disc 33 and lthe washer 34 and is threaded in an opening inthe valve I5 to clamp the washer inwardly against the valve disc 33 and to hold the disc against the end of the Valve I5. The washer 34 is preferably provided with an axial peripheral flange 36 engaging the periphery of the valve disc 33 to prevent distortion and excessive wear of the disc.

The valve I5 is hollow, being provided with a longitudinal opening 31 that is closed at its opposite ends by integral end walls. A series of circumferentially spaced ports 38 is provided in the side wall of the hollow valve I5 to communicate with the opening 31. The ports 38 are adjacent what I Will term the outer end of the valve I5 to communicate with the interior of the nipple 22 when the valve is open. A second series of circumferentially spaced ports 39 is provided in the side wall oi the valve I5 to communicate with the groove 28 when the valve is in its open position. The ports 39 are out of communication with the groove 28 when the valve I5 is closed as shown in Fig. 1, so that the adjacent and surrounding wall portions of the body opening 25 close off the ports 39 from the groove 28 and the outlet opening 29. The valve I5 is shiftable from the closed position shown in Fig. l where it fully closes olf communication between the nipple 22 and the pipe II to the openposition shown in Fig. 2 where water may flow from the nipple 22 through the ports 38, the valve opening 31 and the ports 39 to the groove 28 and then from the discharge opening 21 to the distributing pipe II.

The means IS for operating the valve I5 is preferably, though not necessarily, a remotely controlled means. The means I5 is a cylinder and piston means comprising the cylinder body section I9 described above and a piston on the valve I5 operable in the cylinder opening 29. The piston may comprise an enlargement or radially projecting annular flange 48 on the inner end of the valve I5 and a cup leather 4I arranged against the ange 48 to slidably seal with the wall of the cylinder opening 29. A plate or washer 42 engages the outer side of the cup leather 4I and a screw 43 passes through openings in the washer 42 and the cup leather 4I and threads in an opening in the valve I5 to secure the washer and cup leather in place. It is important to note that the piston comprising the flange 49, the cup leather 4I and the washer 42 has a larger surface exposed to the action of the water under pressure in the cylinder opening I9 than the valve I5 has exposed to the action of the water under pressure in the nipple 22. Accordingly, the assembly of the valve I5 and the above described piston of the means I`6 constitutes a differential plunger or piston having its small end subjected to the action of the water under pressure in the nipple 22 and having its large end subjected to the action of the water under pressure in the cylinder opening 29.

The invention preferably includes means sealing about the valve I5 to prevent the leakage of fluid or water between the opening 2'5 and the inner end of the cylinder opening 29. This means may comprise a cup leather 48 sealing about the valve I5 at the inner end of the section I9. The cup leather may be held or clamped between a shoulder 48 on the body section I8 and a washer 49 engaged by the inner end of 4the cylinder section I9.

The means I6 further includes a valvecl conduit 44 for admitting water under pressure from Tages-4,1961

I l]Y or its nipple 2.2 to the cylinder the valve I5. Theconduit 44 the supply pipe opening 29 to open has one end in communication with 'the water nects one end ofthe conduit 44 with the interior of the nipple 22 of the supply pipe II). `I`he other end of the conduit -44 is connected with the section 29 -to communicate with the -outer portion-of the opening 32. A suitable coupling 50-may connect the conduit 44 with the outerend of the section-219 and vthe-opening V32 of 4the sec- -tion-2 establishes -communication between the conduit and the cylinder opening, In -practice thev bypass conduit -44 may be formed o copper tubing, or the "like, and may be considerably smaller in capacity'than the pipes III and II.

The conduit '44 is controlled by a-valveV. The valve-V is a manually operable valve connected in the conduit 45. If desired the conduit 44 may extend to a point remote from the body I4 of 'the automatic control valve and the valve V may be connected in the conduit-at such va remote point. For example, if the sprinkling system is employed to irrigate the lawn or garden of a residence the conduit 44 may -extend to the residence' and the valve V maybe located to be Vconveniently accessible at the residence.

The valve V may be of any suitable type that normallyfcloses the conduit 44 and that is manually operable to permit flow throughthe conduit to the cylinder opening 29. In the particular case illustrated in the drawing the Valve V comprises a body I having a fluid passage 52 in communication with the adjacent sections of the conduit 44. A partition `53 extends across the passage 52 and has a fluid'port 54. A stern 55 extends into the valve body 5I and passes through the port 54. A valve head 55 on thestem'55 is adapted to cooperate with a suitable seat onthe partition 53 to close the port 54. A spring 51 normally holds the valve head 55 in its closed position. An operating head or button 58 is provided on the outer end of the `stem 54 whereby the valve V may be opened by manually depressing the stem.

It will be apparent that when the button 58 `is depressed fluid under pressure from the nipple 22 and the conduit 44 is admitted to the outer end of the cylinder opening 29.` rIhis fluid under pressure acts on the piston comprising the washer 42 and the cupleather -4I to shift the valve I5 to its open position. A bleeder port 59 is provided in the wall of the cylinder'section I9 to communicate with the upper or inner portion of the cylinder opening 29 to permit the free discharge and entrance of iluid to and from'this portion of the cylinder opening during movement of the valve I5.

The means I1 is an important feature o'f Vthe invention. The means I5 effects the controlled discharge or escape of the uid or water from the outer portion of the cylinder opening `29 unexpands.

cem'ember B2 is ilat and parallel with .thelongitudinal axis of the opening l32. A `knurled or polygonal head `66 is provided 'on the router VVend of the oricemember 62 to .facilitate its turning or manualfadjustment. A packing gland 61 may be provided on the boss .lll'tose'al about the orice member 62. 'The orii-lc'eISV inthe member 62 has its Vinner end in communication with the opening 32 `so that 'iiuid .or water in the outer portion offthe cylinder opening 29 `may ow through the opening 1.32:'and 'discharge or escape from the orice 63.

The means I1 further includes apart 58 movable by or with the :valve I5 to control Ythe orice '53. The part 68 is "shiftable longitudinally in the opening 32 to reciprocate 'past the inner end ofY the orifice 53 during `the opening and closing movements vof the valve I5. In the preferred construction illustrated the partv 68 is rectangular in transverse cross section having a broad flat'face 69 parallel with andin vclose proximity to the innerend'65 of the orifice :member B2. The part 68 is guided 'for'longitudinal movement to remain in proper relation to "the inner end 65 of the member'SZ. Diametrically opposite longitudinal grooves or'guidewaysy'l 'are provided inthe wall of the opening 32 and 'slidably or shiftably receive opposite edge portions of the part 68 to guide the part.

The orifice controlling part is connected with the valve E5`to-move therewith. In' the `particular case illustrated infthe drawing `the'part 68 has a reduced neck l'at its inner'en'd carrying a head 59. A socket 1I is provided in'the head of the screw 43 'to receive the head '-69 Yof the part 58. An inwardly 'projecting annul-ar ange 'F2'having bevelled inner and outer faces .is'provided at the mouth of the 'socket 1I. A longitudinal slot "I3 enters the part 58 from the outer end of its head 159 to render the head and the cooperate with the bevelled faces 'of the ange T2. The head`59 may besprung into the socket TI bypressingthe 'outer end of the head against the bevelled'outer side of Itheiiange 12 to lcompress or contract thehead so that it may pass through the ilange in'to the socket 1I where it The headGQisadapted to cooperate with'the bottom or inner wall of the socket 1l and the'flange 12 to connect the part with the sore-w 43 onthe'valve I5.

The at side 'orface 59 of the part 68 opposing the end ofthe member-62 restricts or governs the -entrance of the fluid or water to'the orifice '55. By turning or threading the member'IZ the v relationship between the end k(i5 andthe face 69 may be varied to regulate the discharge of uid der the action of the uid under pressure in the nipple 22 acting on the valve I5. The means I1 may include a laterally projectingboss 69 on the end section 29 having an openingv BI extending inwardly to communicate with the opening 32. An orice member 62 is threaded in the opening 6l to be adjustable therein and to have its inner l" portion projecting into the opening 32. An orifice 63 of small fluid capacity extends through the member 52 from oneen'dto thefother and a discharge socket-S4 may be provided at the outer.

lend of the orice. The innerend'65 of the ori-l or waterthrough the orifice 63 and thus provide for-the movement of the valve I5 at any selected rate -under the action of the uid pressure in the nipple'22. The part 68 reciprocates past the inner end of the stationary oriiice member'.' during both opening and -closing of the valve I5 and thus serves `as a screen and wiper for the orifice 63, operating to wipe free any particles of solidmatter that may tend to accumulate on the end '65 or'that may tend to enter'the orice B3.

Vlin operation the parts may-normally be in the I positions illustrated in Figs. land (i of the drawing where the automatic control valve and the manual valve V are closed. Toepen the automatic control valve to provide for the discharge of lwater from 'thesprinklers l2 the operator depresses thel button '-58- of the i val-ve "V, lThis Aopens The head the valve V to allow the water under pressure to flow through the conduit 44 to the outer end of the cylinder opening 29. This uid or water under pressure acts against the washer 42 and the cup leather 4I to move the valve I5 to an open position such as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The piston comprising the'waslier 42 and the cup leather 4I has a larger aggregate surface exposed to the action of the water under pressure than theV aggregate surface of the valve I5 exposed to the action of the water under pressure in the nipple 22 so that the water under pressure admitted to the outer end of the cylinder opening 29 as just described opens the valve I5. In practice it is necessary to only momentarily depress the button 58 to eiect opening of the valve I5. When the valve I5 is in its open position its ports 38 communicate with the interior of the nipple 22 and its ports 33 ccmmunicate with the groove 28 so that water under pressure from the supply pipe Ii! is free to ow out through the opening 21 and the distributing pipe II to the sprinklers I2.

Immediately upon closing of the valve V following opening of the valve I5 liquid or water is trapped in the outer portion of the cylinder opening 29 and this trapped water resists closing of the valve I5 under the action of the water under pressure in the nipple I2 and the interior of the valve. The water trapped in the outer portion of the cylinder opening 29 is free to slowly leak or escape through the orifice 63 and its rate of escape depends upon the setting or adjustment of the orice member 52. The member 62 may be adjusted to have its inner end t5 in very close relation to the face 68 to provide for a slow leakage or escape of water from the cylinder opening 29 or may be adjusted outwardly to provide for a more rapid escape of the water. The water in the outer portion of the cylinder opening 23- As the water slowly leaks or escapes through the orifice B3 the valve I5 moves toward its closed position. The part 68 connected with the valve I5 is moved by the valve so that its face 69 moves past the end $5 and the inlet of the orice 63.

This constantly moving face 59 in close proximity to the end 65 and the entrance of the orifice 63 operates to clear or wipe free any particles of solid matter that may tend to gather on the end 64 or that may tend to enter the orifice 63. Thus the part 68 serves to restrict and therefore govern the entrance of water to the orice 63 and serves to prevent clogging of the orifice by particles of solid matter that may be carried by the water. The orifice member 62 may be adjusted as described above to provide for the discharge of the water from the sprinklers I2 for any selected lperiod. The orice E3 controlled or governed by the moving control part 63 provides for the `uniform rate of escape of water from the outer portion of the cylinder opening 29 and provides for a uniform closing movement of the valve I5. When the valve I5 reaches the closed position illustrated in Fig. l of the drawing the water is completely shut oi from the distributing pipe I I and the water under pressure in the nipple 22 serves to retain the valve I5 in its closed position until the valve V is again opened to provide for the discharge of the water from the sprinklers I2.

While we have herein described the automatic control valve of the invention handling water it is to be understood that it may be utilized to handle other fluids.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of our invention, we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves any Variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A valve for controlling a line handling uid under pressure comprising a body having a passage in communication with the line and having an outlet, a valve in the body for closing off the passage and urged to the closed position by the fluid pressure in the line, cylinder and piston means for opening the valve, means for supplying iluid under pressure to the cylinder and piston means to effect opening of the valve, an orifice member having a discharge orifice communicating with the cylinder of the cylinder and piston means whereby the uid under pressure acting on the valve may force the fluid from the cylinder to eifect closing of the valve, and means for controlling the orifice to `govern the rate of closing of the valve comprising a part movable by the valve and extending past an end of the orifice, and screw thread means for adjusting the orice member so that said end of the orifice may be moved toward and away from said part.

2. A valve for controlling flow from a pipe handling fluid under pressure comprising a body having an inlet in communication with the pipe, an outlet and a cylinder, a valve shftable in the body and operable to close off communication between the inlet and the outlet, the valve being urged to the closed position by the uid pressure in the pipe, a piston connected with the valve and operable in the cylinder, manually controlled means for supplying fluid pressure to the cylinder to open the valve, the body having an orifice communicating with the cylinder to allow the escape of fluid therefrom and thus allow closing of the valve, and means controlling the orifice comprising a part screening and restricting an end of the orice and movable by the valve.v

3. A valve for controlling iiow from a pipe handling fluid under pressure comprising a body having an inlet in communication with the pipe, an outlet and acylinder, a valve shiftable in the body and operable to close off communication between the inlet and the outlet, the valve being urged to the closed position by the fluid pressure in the pipe, a piston connected with the valve and operable in the cylinder, manually controlled means for supplying fluid pressure to the cylinder to open the valve, an orifice member on the body having an orice communicating with the cylinder to allow the escape of fluid therefrom and thus allow closing of the valve, and means controlling the orifice comprising a part moved by the valve and having a surface movable past an end of the orifice.

4. A valve for controlling flow from a pipe handling fluid under pressure comprising a body having an inlet in communication with the pipe, an outlet and a cylinder, a valve shiftable in the body and operable to close on" communication between the inlet and the outlet, the valve being urged to the closed position by the fluid pressure in the pipe, a piston connected with the valve and operable in the cylinder, manually controlled means for supplying fluid pressure to the cylinder to open the valve, a part moved by the valve, and an adjustable orice member on the body having an orifice communicating with the cylinder to allow the escape of fluid therefrom and thus allow closing of the valve, an end of the orifice being in adjacent opposed relation to a surface of said part whereby the part controls and screens the orifice.

5. A valve for controlling liow from a pipe handling fluid under pressure comprising abody having an inlet in communication with the pipe, an outlet and a cylinder, a valve shiftable in the body and operable to close off communication between the inlet and the outlet, the valve being urged to the closed position by the fluid pressure in the pipe, a piston connected with the valve and operable in the cylinder, manually controlled means for supplying fluid presure to the cylinder to open the valve, a part in the cylinder connected with the valve to be moved thereby, and an orifice member threadedly connected with the body to extend into the cylinder and having an orifice for allowing the escape of fluid from the cylinder, the inner end of the orifice being in adjacent opposed relation to a face of the said part whereby the part serves to control and screen the orifice.

6. A valve for controllingr iiow from a pipe handling fluid under pressure comprising a body having an inlet in kcommunication with the pipe, an outlet and a cylinder, a valve shiftable in the body and operable to close off communication bertween the inlet and the outlet, the valve being urged to the closed position by the uid pressure in the pipe, a piston connected with the valve and operable in the cylinder, manually controlled means for supplying fluid pressure to the cylinder to open the valve, a part in the cylinder moved by the valve, a member on the body having an orifice for discharging fluid from the cylinder,r

the inlet of the orifice being adjacent a surface of said part to be controlled thereby, and means guiding the said part so that its said surface re` mains in a given relation to the inlet of the orifice.

'7. A valve for controlling flow from a pipe handling fluid under pressure comprising a body having an inlet in communication with the pipe, an outlet and a cylinder, a valve shiftable in the body and operable to close off communication between the inlet and the outlet, the valve being urged to the closed position by the fluid pressure in the pipe, a piston connected with the valve and operable in the cylinder, manually controlled means for supplying fluid pressure to the cylinder to open the valve, a part in the cylinder moved by the valve, a member on the body' having an orifice for discharging fluid from the cylinder, the inlet of the orifice being adjacent a surface of said part to be controlled-thereby, and guideways guiding the said part so that its surface re mains in Va given relation to the inlet of the orifice. l

8. A valve for controlling a pipe handling iiuid under pressure comprising a body having an opening, an outlet for the opening and a cylinder opening, the first mentioned opening having an end communicating with the pipe, avalve shiftable in the said first-mentioned opening to control communication between the pipe and the outlet and exposed to the fluid pressure in the pipe to be urged to the closed position thereby, a piston on the valve operable in the cylinder opening, a valved conduit for conducting uid under pressure from the pipe to the cylinder opening to act on the piston to open the valve, and regulable fluidA escape means allowing the escape of the fluid from the cylinder opening whereby the valve may be caused to close at a selectedrate, said fluid escape means comprising a part movable by the Valve, a member having an orifice for bleeding fluid from the cylinder, the fluid receiving end of the orifice being adjacent and opposed to said part to be Screened and restricted thereby, and screw threads on the body and member whereby the member may be adjusted to vary the spacing of said end of the orifice from said part.

9. A valve for controlling a pipe handling fluid under pressure comprising a body having an opening, an outlet for the opening and a cylinder opening, the first mentioned opening having an end communicating with the pipe, a valve shiftable in the said rst mentioned opening to control communication to the fluid pressure in the pipe to be urged to the closed position thereby, a piston on the valve operable in the cylinder opening, a valved conduit for conducting fluid under pressure from the pipe to the cylinder opening to act on the piston to open the valve, and regulable fluid escape means allowing the escape of the fluid from the cylinder opening whereby the valve may be caused to close at a selected rate, the fluid escape means comprising an orifice member on the body having an orifice communicating with the cylinder opening, and a part in the body movable by the valve and Yhaving a surface in close proximity to the receiving end of the orifice to control and screen the same.

v10. A valve for controlling a pipe handling fluid under pressure comprising a body having an opening, an outlet for the opening and a cylinder opening, the first mentioned opening having an end communicating with the pipe, a valve shiftable in the said first mentioned opening to control communication between the pipe and the outlet and exposed to the fluid pressure in the pipe to be urged to the closed position thereby, a piston on the valve operable in the cylinder opening, a valved conduit for conducting fiuid under pressure from the pipe to the cylinder opening to act on the piston to open the valve, and regulable fluid escape means allowing the escape of the fluid from the cylinder opening whereby the valve may be caused to close at a selected rate, the fluid escape means comprising an orifice member on the body having an orifice communicating with the cylinder opening, a part in the body movable by the valve and having a surface in close proximity to the receiving end of the orifice to control and screen the same and means for adjusting the orifice member to vary the relationship between the receiving end of the orifice and said surface of the said part.

ONA F. HALL. LEW'IS R. DAVIS. 

